Democrats get their health agenda ready ahead of takeover

Democrats get their health agenda ready ahead of takeover

Reinstating the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits, reversing the Trump administration’s Medicaid cuts and even making progress toward Medicare for All are on the table as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress in January.

While ObamaCare tax credits and Medicaid will be low hanging fruit in the party’s legislative agenda, Democratic leaders will have to navigate tensions between progressives itching to pursue Medicare for All and moderates who want more incremental change.

“We’re going to fight hard to make sure that we can ensure that every single American can afford to go see a doctor when they need one,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), likely to be the next House speaker, said during a victory speech Tuesday.

“We will fight for your hospitals. We will fight for your nursing home. We will fight for your community-based health clinics. And we’re going to fight to reverse these painful Medicaid cuts.”

But without a 60-vote, filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, passing legislation following through on pledges to lower costs will be difficult. In addition, attempts to roll back or even delay President Trump’s sweeping Medicaid cuts will likely be met with a veto from the White House — if it gets that far.

Still, Americans are facing a health care affordability crisis , and Democrats recognize a need to go bold to fix it. Some new Democratic Senate winners from election night, such as Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed and Maine’s Troy Jackson, are supporters of Medicare for All.

When it became evident Tuesday night Democrats were headed for a major takeover, Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) wrote on social media, “WHO WANTS MEDICARE FOR ALL?”

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the top Democrat on the Finance Committee, said in a statement his panel “will create a new foundation for America’s health care system that Democrats get their health agenda ready ahead of takeover , gives Americans cheaper and better health care, and ends the corporate chokehold on our nation’s health care system.”

In the House, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) launched a bid to chair the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee.

“Democrats must relentlessly pursue an agenda that puts working people first and focuses on resolving the outrageous price increases that are making it impossible for families to make ends meet,” Pallone said in a statement. “Over the last two years, Republicans have driven up the cost of virtually everything and imposed the largest health care cuts in history – stripping health care from millions, forcing people to pay more for less, and shuttering hospitals.”

Pallone also pledged to advance policies that lower costs and “expand access to quality and affordable health care.”

Welcome to The Hill’s Healthcare newsletter , we’re Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health.

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How policy will be impacting the healthcare sector this week and beyond:

Manufacturing giant 3M has agreed to a $7.35 billion settlement over personal injury claims related to its manufacture of “forever chemicals” used in firefighting foam. The settlement comes as the company has faced thousands of lawsuits over these chemicals, which have been linked to health issues including cancer and problems related to the immune system, thyroid and fertility. Forever chemicals is the nickname for the substances, …

A ballot measure that would legalize abortion access up until fetal viability in Idaho, reversing the state’s current ban, is projected to fail, according to Decision Desk HQ. Voters rejected the ballot measure, which sought to establish protections around reproductive access in the Gem State up to viability, around 23 to 24 weeks, when the fetus is likely to survive outside the womb. Fifty-six percent of voters rejected …

Nevada voters have approved a ballot measure protecting abortion up to the point of viability, officially adding the protection to the state constitution, Decision Desk HQ has projected. The measure allows the state to enact restrictions after viability is reached, which is usually around the 24-week mark, except when necessary to protect the life or health of the mother. It is projected to pass with 63 percent support, …

Branch out with a different read from The Hill:

Kenya’s Ebola cases hit 8, with no community transmission yet

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Ebola cases in Kenya rose to eight on Sunday after another person tested positive while in quarantine, having been identified as a contact of the first patient. Health Ministry Director-General Dr. Patrick Amoth said the eighth case involved a 49-year-old patient attendant who had attended to the first Ebola patient, …

Local and state headlines on healthcare:

Voters reject measure that could have triggered repeal of Medicaid expansion in South Dakota ( South Dakota Searchlight )

Scaled-back version of NC’s rural health pilot will return next year ( North Carolina Health News )

Prop. 44 fails : Clinics defeat measures that would have restricted their spending ( CalMatters )

Health news we’ve flagged from other outlets:

IVF patients, doctors navigate fetal personhood laws’ unknowns ( KFF Health News )

Where does MAHA go from here? 3 possible futures ( Stat )

Abortion resurfaces as a decisive issue amid blue wave ( Politico )

Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: